Pr.: It was our weaknesses that he carried, our sufferings that he endured, while we thought of him as stricken, as one struck by God and afflicted. But he was pierced for our offenses, crushed for our sins; upon him was the punishment that makes us whole, by his stripes we were healed. We had all gone astray like sheep, each following his own way; but the Lord laid upon him the guilt of us all. (Is. 53, 4 to 6)

(KNEEL AND PAUSE)

All: Though he was harshly treated, / he submitted and opened not his mouth; / like a lamb led to the slaughter or a sheep before the shearers, / he was silent and uttered no cry. / When he was cut off from the land of the living, and smitten for the sin of his people, / a grave was assigned him among the wicked and a burial place with evildoers, / though he had done no wrong nor spoken any falsehood. (Is. 53, 7 and 9)

Pr.: Let us pray. Lord Jesus Christ, You shared in our weaknesses and accepted our guilt. Grant us the favor of rejoicing over our human weaknesses, so that in all we do, Your strength, dwelling in us, may be shown to all others.

All: Amen.

(STAND)

Sing: May our sympathy for Jesus Turn to those who here now need us, May we see Christ bruised in them.